ARE WE THERE YET? Photographer Janis Miglavs : China winery architecture #3: Nouveau California Mission style.

Chateau Junding winery, located near Penglai, Shandong province.

I conjecture the nouveau California mission style architecture of Chateau Junding is no accident, but in fact a visual association.

The COFCO-private joint venture Chateau boasts it is located in Nava Valley. Now does that sound similar to Napa Valley or what? Napa Valley wineries and the Napa Valley Vintners Association fought legal battles over the name.

Taking associations one step further, Junding and the Penglai city government Wine Region Promotional Association claim Nava Valley is now one of the world's seven major grape coasts, associating itself with Médoc, Tuscany, Casablanca, Barossa Valley, Cape Town and of course, Napa Valley.

Junding is just one of the wineries from all across China featured in my recently-released book, China The New Wine Frontier.(The book already won the "Best in the World" award from Gourmand.) To order the book in China go to Amazon China, in the USA or internationally, order directly from the author/photographer at janis@jmiglavs.com.

Chateau Junding is the pinnacle of "Bigger is Better" in Chinese wine marketing. The main cluster of buildings, spreading out like a square donut with a crowning tower at one edge, covers 300 mu (20 hectares). Chateau Junding, Penglai, Shandong province.

The complex contains 92 guest rooms. Chateau Junding, Penglai, Shandong province.

Wind your way to the Junding amenities, including Chinese and Western style restaruants, at least one banquet hall, three private meeting rooms with round dinner tables, a fully equiped business center, a huge karaoke space (where I had to perform as the only foreign guest), an outdoor swimming pool, a more bars than I could count. Chateau Junding, Penglai, Shandong province.

Chateau Junding, Penglai, Shandong province.

The trail leads to a 3000 sq meter theater-style plaza for outdoor barbeques and "celebration."Chateau Junding, Penglai, Shandong province.

The lights and moon highlight the architecture at night. Chateau Junding, Penglai, Shandong province.

The architecture of the wine production building seems stately even from the backyard side rarely seen by visitors. Chateau Junding, Penglai, Shandong province.

Towers and arches surround one of the courtyards next to dining rooms and recreation area. Chateau Junding, Penglai, Shandong province.

Almost hidden among the opulant amenities, there is actually a fully-outfittee winery capable of producing one million bottles and year and, according to the literature, the largest underground cellar in Asia. Chateau Junding, Penglai, Shandong province.

Stainless steel storage tanks in a spotless production area at Chateau Junding, Penglai, Shandong province.

Chateau Junding Golf Club

This road leads to Chateau Junding Club, with its 7,293 yard, 18-hole course, boasts it is the only course in China situated in a vineyard. Chateau Junding, Penglai, Shandong province.

Park your Silver Cloud or black Buick right at the entrance of Chateau Junding Club with it incongruent combination of architectural styles. Inside is 5,800 square meteers of restaurants, privte member areas, business center, coffee shop, cigar boutique and, of course, wine display areas. Chateau Junding Club, Penglai, Shandong province.

The golfer's first sight insdie the Golf Club is the marble floor and ornate ceiling of the lobby. Chateau Junding Club, Penglai, Shandong province.

Inside Chateau Junding Club, Penglai, Shandong province.

Yes, they actually grow and make wine at Chateau Junding, Penglai, Shandong province.

Besides the winery, hotel and golf club, Chateau Junding also has a nursery to propagate new vines to be shipped all over China. Even the nursery has the mission style arches. Chateau Junding, Penglai, Shandong province.